Machine for Shoemakers . €49 
turfy the positions are found to be considerably unlike 
each other. It is probable that the first workman assum- 
ed positions which, whether aukward, confined, or incon- 
sistent with health, or the contrary, came into universal 
use when the habit of the individual and the confirmed 
custom of master and apprentice had given them the sane- 
lion of many years. Thus we see that men’s cloths are 
sewed by men who sit cross-legged ; women’s cloths by 
women who sit in no unusual position : turners in India 
hold the tool with their feet, and turn the lathe with the 
left hand, while they sit on the ground with the body 
leaning very much forward; in Europe they stand and 
turn with one foot, while the hand directs the tool : comb- 
cutters, for coarse or open-toothed combs, sit astride a 
large triangular stool with their work as low as the seat, 
so that they must keep their bodies almost horizontal 
while at work ; but those who cut ivory combs sit very 
nearly upright. 
Many other examples might be given, not only of works 
which are practically shewn to be capable of being ex- 
ecuted with less injury to the comfort and health of the 
professors than at present ; but of others where the mis* 
chiefs are no less evident, and thejr remedies by no means 
difficult, if man could be, by the gentle influence of rea- 
son, induced to depart from what habit has confirmed and 
made easy. 
The numerous bodily complaints which are consequent 
to the practice of the art of shoe-making, as now per- 
formed, are well known to all ; and the remedies in this, 
as well as other branches of human industry, are intitled 
to general regard. He who improves the cultivation of 
the ground, or renders human labour more productive by 
machinery, is intitled to universal gratitude as a benefac- 
tor of the human race : He increases their comforts, and 
renders the means of subsistence more easy, Thu same 
Vol, r. 3 L 
